Hummingbird Days at UCSC offer glimpse into fascinating life of frantic fliers

Bird lovers and avian initiates will flock to UC Santa Cruz next weekend for the Arboretum's Hummingbird Days.

The event is a chance for the public to catch a rare glimpse into the world of the hummingbird. Attendees can enjoy hummingbird walks, ecology talks, photography exhibits and children's crafts with a hummingbird theme.

Keen-eyed observers might note the unusual presence of a pair of typically Mexico-wintering rufous hummingbirds, which scientists have observed taking up rare winter residency among the flowers this year at the UCSC Arboretum. Area birders are excited by the news of the two immature males, but Stephen McCabe, Arboretum director of development and research, and others are careful not to declare the stay a significant shift in the migratory bird's behavior.

"No one is saying it is a trend yet," said McCabe. "If they do begin to stay all winter for 10 years in a row, we'll wonder if the Arboretum provides them more reliable winter food options than they are used to or if there is some effect of changing climate."

Stephen Gerow, a respected local birder, agreed.

"Rufous do winter away from their usual winter range from time to time, but it is just the first time it has been proven to happen in Santa Cruz County or the general Monterey Bay area," he said.

For the bird-curious or hummingbird aficionado, the weekend offers a multitude of activities and opportunities to learn about the nimble creatures.

Several new features will be introduced at Hummingbird Day this year, including hummingbird T-shirts and a catering truck for picnic lunches.

Attendees also can view the hummingbird photographs of Brent Johnson and a dynamic slideshow by photographers Munir Kureshi and Oliver Klink, whose creative work returns after a several-year hiatus.

"The still photos by Brent Johnson are so amazingly sharp that you can see the detail in the reflective feathers," McCabe said.

"The slide show by Munir Kureshi and Oliver Klink also features amazing photos, but puts them in the context of a private garden with flowers and fountains that attract multiple hummingbirds at once," he added.

On Friday morning, avian enthusiasts can take a Birding By Ear tour, which requires reservations. The tour is limited to 15 people.

Hummingbird Days also features several talks that focus on the interaction of hummingbirds and native or Australian plants, of which the Arboretum has many; docent-led hummingbird walks; children's walks; self-guided tours; and hummingbird plants and paraphernalia for sale at Norrie's Gift Shop and Nursery.

Ornithologists, or bird scientists, have long been fascinated by the flight capabilities of hummingbirds. Research includes testing the birds' flying abilities in wind tunnels, speculating on how humminbirds stay aloft in rainstorms, and studying the sounds that the birds' wings make.

Hummingbirds are best known for their nimble, quick-moving behavior. The colorful birds dart from flower to flower, sipping nectar and exhibiting extremely agile flight patterns.

"It may take a few minutes of standing or sitting near one of the hot spots around the garden, but everyone should see hummingbirds perching, diving and chasing each other." McCabe said of the Hummingbird Days event, adding that the birds are naturally drawn to the area by the Arboretum plantings.

In Santa Cruz, the most common hummingbirds are Anna's, which are year-round residents, as well as the seasonal Allen's and rufous hummingbirds.

"Hummingbirds eat up to their weight in nectar each day," said McCabe.

The miniature birds have a heart rate of 200 to 500 beats per minute at rest and up 1,300 beats per minute when active. Hummingbird wings beat about 50 times per second, but that can jump to 200 times per second when they are diving.

"They are so fast, that sometimes all you see is a blur until they stop to perch," McCabe said.

While the birds are best known for love of nectar, they also spend time resting and exhibiting mating behaviors. However, their extreme feeding needs soon drive the birds back to the flowers.

"The males spend a lot of time chasing each other away from females and more often, food sources," said McCabe.